Jr. Scouts Football Update: Winter Workouts, Q&A Guide To Spring Football And Early Glance At 2025 Calendar
Hi Parents,
Hope all is well and everyone is staying active these first winter months of 2025.
I know many of you are putting your calendar together for the spring season and looking ahead to summer and fall.
We thought we’d put together a frequently asked questions guide for spring ball and early glance at events for summer and fall. Oh, and registration information for our second winter workout cohort.
Let’s get right to it!
WINTER WORKOUTS 2ND SESSION
Our winter workouts are rolling along and we had a terrific start in January.
Our second 5-week cohort begins the week of Feb. 16. We are holding sessions on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays, all supervised by members of the Jr. Scouts coaching staff.
Registration is now open for all three sessions. Go to lfparksandrec.com for details. Use program code #211041001.
SPRING FOOTBALL
A Q&A on spring football, which will registration will be open soon:
What is spring football?
Jr. Scouts Football plans to field teams in a 7-on-7 league organized by The Chicagoland Youth Football League, the same league that runs tackle football in the fall. We will offer registration for combined 6th/7th and 4th/5th grade teams. 7-on-7 is a passing-only, non-contact, two-hand touch league. The league runs for goes for seven weeks and begins the week of March 31 — the week after spring break — and ends the weekend before Memorial Day.
When are games/practices and what is time commitment?
Games are on Sundays, beginning April 6. Last year, games were played at Stevenson High School and at other high schools close by (Northbrook, Glenbrook South). Games typically last 45 minutes to an hour. We will hold one 1-hour practice per week at Deerpath Community Park starting the week of March 31 (date to be determined). We also ask the kids to arrive an hour before scheduled games as that serves as an extra practice. The time commitment is very minimal — 2-to-3 hours per week.
What equipment is required?
Just cleats and a mouthguard. It’s non-contact so no pads or helmet required.
My son plays travel baseball or lacrosse in the spring. Will he have time for 7-on-7 football?
Other communities in our footprint — New Trier, Northbrook, Stevenson — have the same conflicts in the spring with other sports. Those programs are able to field multiple 7-on-7 teams despite having almost all of their kids playing another spring sport. We shorten the commitment in the spring with full knowledge that lacrosse and baseball are the main spring sports. We encourage participation in other sports as it makes for a more physically and mentally stronger young man. If he loves football, and can find an extra 2-3 hours per week to get better and have a great experience with his teammates, then yes, there is time to participate.
My son plays flag and/or 7-on-7 as a fall sport. He’s thinking about playing tackle this fall. Should he try spring 7-on-7?
If he’s enjoyed fall flag or 7-on-7 and is now considering tackle, it makes sense to consider enrolling in spring 7-on-7. The offense and defensive plays run in the spring are the same as for the fall season. Spring coaches are also tackle coaches, so he’ll be evaluated by the same coaches in both seasons. We strongly encourage all athletes who want to play one of the offensive skill positions in the fall — quarterback, wide receiver, running back — to play spring football.
Sounds great. Where do I register?
Lake Forest Parks & Rec has not posted registration yet. Coming soon.
2025 CALENDAR…SAVE THE DATES!!!
As we all know, time flies. It’s already the first weekend of February, so it's never too early to jot down a few key dates in the 2025 calendar.
Some of these events are subject to change:
APRIL 6 Opening day of 7-on-7 season
MAY 18 Last Sunday of 7-on-7 season
MAY 28 Parent’s Meeting
JUNE 12 Try Tackle Clinic
JUNE 22 All Ages Combine
JULY 4 Lake Bluff Parade
JULY 12-13 Mini Camp
JULY 21 first day of practice
AUGUST 24 All Levels Scrimmage
AUGUST 30-31 Opening Weekend
If any questions, hit the reply button to this email or contact our program director, Jason Olson, at olsonj@cityoflakeforest.com.
Have a great weekend everybody and Go Scouts!
For more information on the Lake Forest Jr. Scouts Football program, visit the website:
https://lakeforestathletics.sportngin.com/page/show/8489896-football
For more information on the Chicagoland Youth Football League, visit the website: